Bignot back for County (From South Wales Argus)

Bignot back for County

10:28am Friday 27th February 2009 in Latest Football By Michael Pearlman

NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth has swooped to sign free agent Paul Bignot as he looks to boost his ranks following a disastrous run of form in the Blue Square South.

County are once again looking over their shoulders having lost four of their last five league encounters; all by a solitary goal as a lengthy injury list and thin squad has been badly exposed.

They travel to promotion hopefuls Hayes & Yeading tomorrow with Steve Jenkins starting his three match suspension following his red card against Maidenhead.

All three of County’s central defenders – Aaron Cook, Ashley Vickers and Paul Cochlin – are also currently carrying muscle strains so Holdsworth has agreed a deal that sees Bignot signed up until the end of the season.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Biggy coming back to us, he’s a quality defender, a very popular member of the dressing room and a signing that means we have sufficient cover for Jenks’ suspension,” he explained.

“We’ve been in constant contact with Biggy, we never wanted him to leave in the first place and he provides us with a boost at a great time.”

Holdsworth has been frustrated in his efforts to bring in another striker, Craig Reid’s injury and Scott Armitage’s unavailability seriously damaging for County on Wednesday as they slipped to defeat at home to Eastleigh.

Overtures have been made to at least two different strikers but funds are limited for Holdsworth and he is uncertain if he will be able to bring in a forward.

“I can only tell the truth, which is that as much as I would like to sign another forward, I honestly don’t know whether we will be able to,” he said.

“It’s clear we could do with another forward, at least one, but for now we have to get on with what we have and I have no criticism of my players, they did me proud in midweek and we believe we can get the right result tomorrow.”

Holdsworth was happy to answer the critics who have been questioning why County only fielded three substitutes in midweek.

“I understand that point of view, but I hope people realise we don’t ever make a decision through a lack of preparation,” he said.

“We had Craig Reid and Kevin Cooper in for fitness tests and the hope was that both of them would be fit enough to be involved.

“It was unfortunate that we had five youth players unavailable because of international call-ups.

“I am always talking to Glyn Jones (academy chief) and we both felt any youth player called in at the death wouldn’t particularly benefit, it should be remembered that calling in young players before they are ready can be damaging to their confidence.

“It wasn’t ideal to have three substitutes, but we were unlucky not to be winning at half-time and there is no doubt we could’ve got something out of the game, as the fans who cheered the players off at full-time will testify too.”

Holdsworth refused to criticise County’s stay away fans, Spytty Park hosting just 540 supporters in midweek (more than 40 travelling from Hampshire).

“I don’t know why people aren’t coming and what is keeping them away, but I would rather thank those who did come and who gave us excellent support, they were marvellous,” he said.

Defender Bignot replaces the suspended Jenkins in the squad for tomorrow’s match as County look to avenge their 5-1 home defeat to the same opponents back in November last year.

Reid (hamstring) and Cooper (fluid in knee, bruised foot) will require late fitness tests. At least two of Cochlin, Cook and Vickers are expected to be fit and Nathan Davies came through his comeback game unscathed.